Royal Agricultural University to host UK/Ukraine Soil Pollution Conference

The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester has announced a conference on soil pollution and food security in Ukraine.

Jointly organised by the University and DEFRA, the conference set for 11,12 and 13 March is described as marking the conclusion of the 'UK/Ukraine: War-Polluted Soils Recovery and Remediation' joint project between the RAU and Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU) in Ukraine, funded by DEFRA under the framework of the UK/Ukraine 100-Year Partnership.
A University spokesperson said: "Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine just over four years ago, Ukraine’s farmlands have suffered significant damage from Russian bombardments and other war-related activities, introducing potentially toxic elements, known as heavy metals, into the agricultural landscape, leading to the degradation of soil health.
"This soil pollution poses a potentially long-term threat to food production, food safety, and agricultural productivity in the country which is known as 'the breadbasket of Europe.'
"The RAU/SNAU project, which launched in late 2022 and has been supported by £500,000 in DEFRA funding, has been analysing soil samples in five regions of Ukraine to assess levels of heavy metal pollution and the long-term impact of war on the country’s arable farmland, as well as to explore potential solutions to restore soil health, ensure food safety, and support agricultural recovery.
"At the conference, researchers will present their key findings related to war-induced soil contamination in Ukraine, and will facilitate strategic discussions on opportunities to cooperate in the fields of soil health recovery, sustainable land management, and food security.
"It is also hoped that the conference will enrich the dialogue on post-war agricultural recovery and open doors for further collaboration."
Full details can be found here.